It may be difficult to get through because of the high volume of calls. edit: I chose "The Red Cross" and "Doctors Without Borders" because they seem to be bonafied organizations that are already working in the devastated areas.

In Toronto, all police stations are accepting cash donations that will be sent directly to the Red Cross.

See the UN's ReliefWeb earthquake/tsunami page for up-dates about who is doing what where. ../w/rwb.nsf/vLND/5F8A41AE2188E3A949256F76002F8861?OpenDocument&StartKey=South+Asia:+Earthquake+and+Tsunami+-+Dec+2004&ExpandView

Other excellent organizations doing disaster relief work for victims of the recent earthquake/tsunami include:

When discouraged about horrible news stories about disasters and armed conflicts, I find it helpful to look at more constructive news than is on the front page or on the TV newsclips. There is lots about what is being done to help at the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) ReliefWeb earthquake/tsunami page. There are constant up-dates from news services and by way of press releases from organizations all over the world. And this site can help people figure out where they want to make their donations -- most of the big organizations have rapid response systems that enable them to deploy right away, and at the same time launch massive fund raising campaigns to help them do what they are already doing.

The above is an exerpt of CAM's reply to <a>another thread on this same subject</a>

I see that the Red Cross has stopped collecting for tsunami relief. However, I am also hearing that the need is endless -- I heard an African relief worker point out that Africa has tsunami every month from AIDS related deaths. I also heard that people still believe that AIDS is the fault of the victim -- while certainly many people do acquire HIV from unsafe sex, there are also so many wives and children who get it. I also heard that in some tsunami disaster areas there are such insufficient medical supplies that in some places needles are being reused that have not even been autoclaved. (These are not needles for illicit drug use as we are accustomed to think of first here.)

I also heard that our local foodback (smallish Canadian city) was down about $150,000 in donations at the end of this year -- they are attributing this to the tsunami. Our foodback has seen a huge increase in need in the past several years here in Canada.

I hope the outpouring of compassion will continue toward all people in need. (I speak to myself!) Thank you dear llizard for contributing to the efforts through your website.

1. The situation is getting more desperate. It is currently estimated that as much as 30% of the areas affected have not been reached, which could translate into at least 200,000 people not getting the assistance they need.

[T]here are not enough relief personnel and supplies. Those organizations already working there need donations. A colleague of mine who knows the region well has produced the following list of organizations who are now working in the country around the clock even though many of them have themselves been badly affected by the cyclone

Because of the nature of the crisis, there may be a larger number of donations than usual with regards to the earthquake; please specify "greatest need" on your donation.

Note that it’s very likely that your donation will go towards helping those in Haiti. However, in the case where there is a surplus (wouldn’t that be wonderful?), any amounts labelled "greatest need" can be moved to areas that have not received the same amount of press.

But having said that, please note this announcement from the Canadian Federal government:

CBC news wrote:

The federal government is earmarking up to $50 million to match Canadians’ donations of up to $100,000 to charities aiding relief efforts in earthquake-ravaged Haiti. The donations must meet the following requirements:

* Made by an individual Canadian.
* Made to a registered Canadian charitable organization that is receiving donations in response to the Jan. 12 Haiti earthquake.
* Specifically earmarked by such organizations for the purpose of responding to the earthquake.
* Made between Jan. 12 and Feb. 12, 2010.

The Canadian International Development Agency [(CIDA)] has more information on Canada’s Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.

There are many other reputable relief organizations putting together appeals. Here are things to look for when you are deciding where to send your donation.

Quote:

Do look for organizations with prior experience and expertise [...] There is a steep learning curve when agencies move out of their normal work, this may lead to mistakes and wasted money. Make sure the organization has prior experience in their proposed projects.

Don't earmark funds The organization is on the ground and has a far better idea of what is needed the most. Earmarking funds may force the organization to spend money where it's not needed and keep it from spending money where it’s need the most. [...]

Don't take up a collection of goods to send over [...] Ports can only hold and process so many goods and often the port authorities have difficulty sorting through everything arriving to get it processed and out the doors. Please do not take up collections of medicine, clothing, baby formula, or food for shipment, or show up on your own to hand out money or goods. Although well intentioned, this can actually make the situation worse

Watching the news these days can be overwhelming. And of course, when we sit in our living rooms, helplessly watching as people are swept away, or fires rage, or houses crumble, or..., we want to feel less helpless. And all of us can help - with donations to reputable relief organizations. Any size of donation is welcomed. Give what you can. (For instance, instead of buying coffee every morning, donate your coffee money.)

edit November 2014: Sadly, the world is in just as bad shape as ever. Aside from the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, ongoing food insecurity in many parts of the world, since September 2014, the Disasters page on Relief Web is reporting cholera in Niger; floods in Somalia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Pakistan, India, Taiwan Province, Philippines; drought in Bolivia, Honduras; volcanoes and seismic activities in Colombia, Philippines; tropical Cyclone Hudhud in India and tropical storm Fung-Wong (aka Mario) in Taiwan Province, Philippines;

Here again are some of the organizations that are already working in most areas of the world. They can use your help.

Of course, there are many reputable relief organizations putting together appeals. Here are some things to look for when you are deciding where to send your donation.

goodintents.org wrote:

Do determine if the country is accepting international assistance [...] [J]ust because there has been a disaster does not mean that the local government and local aid organizations are not capable of reaching and helping those in need. Before sending your donation find out what, if any, assistance the government is allowing. Check to see if the aid organization you're considering donating to is offering that same type of assistance.

Do look at a variety of nonprofits before giving
Look for organizations that were operating in the country before the disaster, they will be able to respond quicker and know the local culture, politics, and needs better. Giving to local organizations is great, unfortunately they can be difficult to find and may not have a website or if they do it may not be in English.

Do look for organizations with prior experience and expertise
[...] There is a steep learning curve when nonprofits move out of their normal area of work, this may lead to mistakes and wasted money. Make sure the organization has prior experience in their proposed projects.

Don't earmark funds The organization is on the ground and has a far better idea of what is needed the most than someone half the world away. Earmarking funds may force the organization to spend money where it's not needed and keep it from funding the projects that are needed the most. [...]

Do ensure that the agency is legitimate before giving [...] [V]erify that the nonprofit is real before giving. Google the exactname – be careful that they haven't used a name that is almost identical to a well known charity. If the organization has been in operation for a while there should be a history of them on the web including links to conferences their staff have attended, newspaper articles written about them, or meeting minutes.

Don't take up a collection of goods to send over [...] Donated goods can clog ports and prevent more critical relief items from getting through. Ports can only hold and process so many goods and often the port authorities have difficulty sorting through everything arriving to get it processed and out the doors. Please do not take up collections of medicine, clothing, baby formula, or food for shipment, or show up on your own to hand out money or goods. Although well intentioned, this can actually make the situation worse as it adds to the confusion, diverts resources, and may lead to aid dependency.

-The DOs and DON'Ts of Disaster Donations | Good Intentions are Not Enough (http://goodintents.org/disaster/the-dos-and-donts-of-disaster-donations)